Parole Program Specialist (20101552)

Who We Are… 
Guided by a single mission “To reduce recidivism among those we touch,” the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction believes that everyone is capable of positive change. Our staff embrace these core values and serves as role models for pro-social behavior conveying an attitude of dignity and respect in the treatment of others. 
 
What We Do… 
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been tasked with front line crime reduction through rehabilitative treatment and programming efforts provided in a safe, secure and humane correctional environment and effective community supervision. Our goal is to protect the public through helping individuals turn away from crime and become productive, contributing members of our communities, ensuring a safer Ohio for all Ohioans now and in the future. 
 
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.drc.ohio.gov 
 
Are You Ready? 
We are thrilled to see that you are interested in beginning your career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction! Without a doubt, this will be the most rewarding and meaningful work you’ll ever find with a work family that is second to none! 

What You’Ll Do:

• Requires considerable knowledge of parole and agency /or probation services, programs, and methods and procedures and thorough knowledge of reentry programming
• Serves as a parole program specialist and helps facilitate reintegration for individuals returning to the community, under direction of the Office of Reentry
• Connects individuals with communities, programs, and resources
• Staffs cases with ODRC staff to make proper referrals to service providers regarding recommendations
• Electronically documents contacts and interventions as necessary
• Assists Regional Administrator and Regional Reentry Administrator in forming partnerships among Adult Parole Authority, correctional institutions, and community partners
• Coordinates and facilitates video in reach process
• Coordinates community-based family engagement events
• Coordinate and facilitate pre-release activities as needed or requested
• Maintains communication with Adult Parole Authority and institutional Unit Management Chiefs and/or other designated staff to exchange information about reentry initiatives, programming delivery, continuity of care issues, and release planning and housing
• Guides and/or assists individuals in attainment of potential state and federal benefits to increase opportunities for successful reentry
• Assists during violations/sanction process as appropriate
• Responds to JPAY/GTL/KITE inquiries in a timely manner
• Gathers pertinent information regarding the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) to disseminate to community organizations to assist in the development of reentry services
• Establishes and maintains up to date community resources and information
• Provides minimal support and/or training to community entities regarding Citizen Circles and coalitions
• Participates in workgroups, committees, or task forces to identify and resolve problems and to improve delivery of services to staff and individuals
• Research information and collects data to facilitate decision making
• Collects information and prepares reports as required
• Implements agency directives as directed
• Responds both verbally and in writing to questions and/or concerns
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions and conferences
• Participates in the screening and interviewing process for regional parole staff
• Coordinates and/or facilitates community-based reentry approved programs
• Extensive travel throughout Ohio

6 yrs. trg. or 6 yrs. exp. in community corrections to include report writing, offender treatment referrals, offender service delivery & participation in corrections/criminal justice agencies operations & investigations; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. providing work direction &/or training; valid Ohio Driver's license.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program in criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, psychology or related field; 48 mos. trg. or 48 mos. exp. in community corrections to include report writing, offender treatment referrals, offender service delivery & participation in corrections/criminal justice agencies operations & investigations; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. providing work direction &/or training; valid Ohio Driver's license.

-Or completion of graduate core program in criminology, criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, psychology or related field; 36 mos. trg. or 36 mos. exp. in community corrections to include report writing, offender treatment referrals, offender service delivery & participation in correction/criminal justice agencies operations & investigations; 6 mos. trg. or 6 mos. exp. providing work direction &/or training; valid Ohio Driver's license.

-Or 12 mos. exp. as Senior Parole Officer, 69812; valid Ohio Driver's license.

-Or 24 mos. exp. as Parole Officer, 69810 or 69811; valid Ohio Driver's license.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Criminology/Criminal Justice

Technical Skills: Communications, Customer Service, Programming, Social Services, Training 
Professional Skills: Public Speaking, Collaboration, Organizing and Planning, Establishing Relationships, Strategic Thinking 

• Application Procedures: 
• In order to be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website.  (We no longer accept paper applications.) 
• When completing your on-line Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. 
• We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your on-line application.
• You can check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website.
• We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.  Be sure to check your email often.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please contact the Human Resources Office so proper arrangements can be made. Otherwise, you will be given specific instructions on requesting an accommodation if you are invited to an assessment and/or interview.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is a tobacco-free workplace.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing:
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation:
The final applicant selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check.  An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is prohibited from hiring: 

• Individuals under a federal or state weapons disability if the position requires firearms certification/recertification and use;
• Individuals who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other confinement facility; have been civilly or administratively adjudicated, or convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, implied threats of force, or if the victim did not or was unable to consent; 
• Individuals convicted of soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism, terrorism, or money laundering to support terrorism; 
• Individuals who have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony where a direct correlation exists between the position and prior criminal behavior.  

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.